Whatever you know about the U of Iowa

[el Scorcho]

Hey everyone! I am probably going to be blessed to get off Iowa's alternate list (ranked #9 on the out of state list), but I would really appreciate hearing what people have to say about 1)the school and 2)living in Iowa. It seemed pretty cool when I was there, but the interview day didn't allow for much interaction with students, and it was my third interview in as many days and my memories are a little blurry ( ) of what it would be like to go to school there. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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[pre-hawkdoc]

hey scorcho,

i'm finishing my undergrad at iowa in about 23 hours and i'm 12 on the resident list, so maybe i'll be joining you. if not, you'll be joining many of my friends and i'll be at MCW. here's what i can answer:

-school: great reputation (esp. in primary), incredible new facility in progress, organ/system based curric with mix of trad and pbl. most of the med students i know are happy and feel that they're getting a good education. the school consistently cranks out respectable match lists. great teaching hospital.

-iowa (in general): it's not metropolitan (i know--you're shocked). the people are generally laid back and helpful. if pro sports and big-name concerts are your thing, tough luck. but there's more to do here than most think. oh, and we definitely have 4 distinct seasons, sometimes in 4 consecutive days. :wink:

-iowa (iowa city): great college town (students comprise just less than half of the population). i've loved my four years here and would gladly spend four more. football saturdays are awesome (especially now that we're winning more often than not) and the downtown scene is a blast, though it can get old. there's a great (for iowa) ethnic mix and ideas are *usually* exchanged freely. overall, it's a good learning environment, but there are certainly outlets (though admittedly not what you'd find in LA, NY, etc)

that's what comes to mind right now. if you have other ?s feel free to PM me. Oh, and on behalf of SDNers everywhere, welcome.

-Travis

 

[oldman]

I just withdrew from Iowa! Hopefully that'll bump you up to at least #8. I think racergirl just withdrew too, so that'll put you at #7!!

 

[cchoukal]

oldman, did you decide to go to MN, or where?

 

[oldman]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by cchoukal:
•oldman, did you decide to go to MN, or where?•••••At this point it is MN, I have withdrawn from my other acceptances. I am still holding my waitlist spots though.

 

[el Scorcho]

Thanks for the welcome, pre-hawk. I have actually been a silent reader for a while now and find myself getting hooked on SDN.

You are a fountain of knowledge. Thank you. So are you going to Iowa for sure if (when) you get off the alternate list? I also got waitlisted at MCW and it seems like a good school.

To everyone who has withdrawn from Iowa, thank you and good luck where you all end up. If anyone else has opinions on Iowa, please share, I'm a greedy son of a gun!

 

[pre-hawkdoc]

scorcho,

i don't know if i'd say i'm a fountain of knowledge (but you can--and anyone else who feels the need). i'm actually going to visit MCW again next tuesday and, as of now, i'm planning on going there. that said, IF i get in at iowa, there's a 99% chance that i'll go there. some of my best friends are starting here next year, it's cheaper and i've put up with the construction for the last two years, so i'd really like to use that new building (even if it is green and kinda looks like a battleship from certain angles).
there are some really great people here (as i'm sure there are everywhere) and i have no doubt that you'll enjoy your four years here. anyhoo, i'll keep my fingers crossed for both of us. ok, i'm going to bed. 15 hours till i'm done with this undergrad junk...

 

[u2ecila]

Hi,
I lived in Iowa City and worked in Cedar Rapids for a year, and it was too way cold for this southern girl! (Um - minus 50 degrees wind chill?? brrr!) And then when it warmed up - there was a tornado every other day!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

Definately a nice little college town though, and I love that Tomato Pie place. Lively dance clubs, good food, and friendly people!

Congrats on acceptance! Just bring a very warm coat!!!!


u2ecila

 

[UI2003]

I'm a third year student here at UI and I have a few bits of info for you:

Years 1 & 2:
You'll actually get to work with real patients before you hit the wards - kinda nice. Also, you spend both years learning physical exam skills so if you don't know which way your stethescope goes in your ears by year 3, it's kinda your own fault :wink: Iowa has a sink-or-swim mentality when it comes to the didactic years - either keep up with the work or drop out, but there are lots of resources to assist you if needed (tutors, extended schedule, etc). There are a ton of social options between the city community center and the college - from service activities, church membership or just plain going out to the bars. However, you *are* in Iowa and unfortunately, we're the social mecca for the entire state (read: the bars will get old around year 3 but by then you won't care since most of your time will be spent in the hospital).

Year 3 & 4 - You defintaly won't want for exposure as you'll do rotations in everything from Internal Medicine to Radiology to Otolayngology to EKG/Lab Medicine. Also, on your Community-Based Medicine rotation, you'll learn about all the ancillary services available to patients once they leave the hospital. This is helpful when trying to manage discharge planning :wink: . Students here do very well in the match - most people get one of their top three choices. We have M4s going into residency programs all over the country including Ivy league programs.

More on the social front: As a minority, I cringe when people say "Iowa City is very diverse!", but I knew what I was getting into by choosing to come here. Yes, most of your patients will be caucasian but comparatively we *do* see a wide spectrum of people since the UI serves as the specialty center for the entire state and surrounding states. I can go into more detail if anyone is curious - feel free to email me.

 

[waiting123]

Hey UI2003, Thanks for your info. I was just pulled off the waitlist (I was number 2 as an out of stater for those of you still waiting). Anyways, I couldn't access their match list online but I was wondering how many get residencies in California. Do they have alumni/connections in Cali? Do you think that going to U of Iowa would be better than Creighton (in Omaha, NE) because of its ranking even tho Creighton has a lot of connections in cali? Thanks in adavance

 

[Shera]

Hey waiting123,

you can check their match result by following the link: <a href="http://www.medicine.uiowa.edu/osac/matchresults.htm" target="_blank">http://www.medicine.uiowa.edu/osac/matchresults.htm</a>
I think going to UI is much better than Creigton (that's why I decline creighton), if you consider research facility and reputation, academic resources and strength.
anyway, glad you got off the waitlist. Two years ago, my friend ranked #89 on the waitlist and he got in 2 weeks before class starts.

B

 

[UI2003]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by waiting123:
•Hey UI2003, Thanks for your info. I was just pulled off the waitlist (I was number 2 as an out of stater for those of you still waiting). Anyways, I couldn't access their match list online but I was wondering how many get residencies in California. Do they have alumni/connections in Cali? Do you think that going to U of Iowa would be better than Creighton (in Omaha, NE) because of its ranking even tho Creighton has a lot of connections in cali? Thanks in adavance •••••Congratulations! Yes, we have Alumni connections all over the country and from what I've seen most of the Californian students chose to go back to Cali for residency. Even a few East coasters ended up there! As far as Creighton is concerned, I have classmates who chose to come here rather than there and they went there for undergrad. UI is famous for our residency programs in Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, Orthopaedics, Family Medicine and Derm but I think Creighton might have slightly more name-recognition overall. From what I've heard tho (from residents who trained there) the programs there can be a little on the malignant side. All in all, your choice on where to go should be more based on how comfortable you think you'll be - cuz med school is a long haul and you can pretty much write your own ticket into any residency if you perform well enough. Good luck!

 

[el Scorcho]

Congratulations waiting123!
I called today and I'm up to number 2 on the alternate list! I'm just sick of the waiting and can't wait to get that acceptance in my hands. I was also accepted to Creighton, but was much more impressed with Iowa, but I do think what everyone says is true, that you should go where you feel more comfortable. For me, that's U Iowa. Good luck!

 

[oldman]

#2? alright! you're almost there and May isn't even over yet.